Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Councils collaborative programme, Causeway Healthy Kids has been shortlisted for the ‘Best Health and Wellbeing Initiative’ in the upcoming 2025 APSE Awards.
The APSE awards showcase local authorities and public-sector partners across the United Kingdom, with the aim of recognising frontline services teams as well as special initiatives.
To date, Causeway Healthy Kids which was introduced by Councils Sports and Wellbeing team in 2022, has picked up a fantastic six awards for its innovative approach to promoting healthy lifestyles for children of primary school age.
The programme is operated by Council in partnership with Northern Healthy Lifestyles Partnership, NHSCT Dietetics Department and NHSCT Mental Health Department and it’s been so successful the model has been adopted, to date by two partner Councils.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, who will attend the awards ceremony scheduled for September said: “Well done to Council’s Sport and Wellbeing Development team for working so diligently on this fantastic programme for local primary schools, which I know has been well received by local schools and parents.
“I understand that the programme has now been delivered to 58 schools within our Council area to date, with a further 10 due to complete the programme during 2025/26 and this is just amazing.
“As a grandparent myself, I know it’s so important that we support our children’s mental and physical health while also improving their nutritional choices - which this programme undoubtedly helps with.
“Thank you to all the partner agencies who have supported delivery of this project and of course to the schools, teachers and children who have participated in the programme to date. Good luck to ‘Causeway Healthy Kids’ at the upcoming APSE Awards.”
By the completion of the programme in March 2026, Causeway Healthy Kids will have supported almost 2,000 children from the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
Sports Development Manager, Jonathan McFadden, who led on delivery of the programme for Council added: “In developing and delivering this project in partnership with multiple departments within Northern Health and Social Care Trust and with the support of the Northern Healthy Lifestyles Partnership, we have designed a programme delivered by our excellent team of council facilitators that has been thoroughly enjoyed by the children and embraced by schools.”
Since 2022, 14 Council officers have worked on content, visited schools, delivered the programme and jointly produced support materials such as the ‘at home challenge pack’. The scheme has also welcomed four Ulster University placement students who also helped deliver learning materials to the young students.
Hugh Nelson, Head of Community Wellbeing, NHSCT said: “We were delighted to learn that our collaborative Causeway Healthy Kids project has been nominated for these prestigious awards.
“The project that’s in place or being implemented across the Council areas illustrates the innovative approaches that have informed how we work together, utilising expertise to achieve this.
“The Health & Wellbeing team together with the Northern Healthy Lifestyle partnerships dedication to working together has been instrumental in driving these projects forward.
“We are delighted with how they have been received and with the positive outcomes for children’s health. Together with our Council partners, we are building healthier, more inclusive communities and I want to congratulate everyone involved in this ongoing success.”
The programme really has proved that if we support our children to make healthy choices, they will!
Good luck to all the finalists shortlisted for this year’s APSE Awards, which will take place in Glasgow between the 10th and 11th September 2025.
Advancing Healthcare Awards Northern Ireland Overall winner. Pictured (l-r) are Steve Jamieson, CEO Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy; Clare Galway, NHSCT Paediatric Dietician; Sandra Anderson, NHSCT Health and Wellbeing Manager; Hugh Nelson, NHSCT Head of Community Wellbeing; Jonathan McFadden, Sports Development Manager; and event host Eamon Holmes OBE.
Advancing Healthcare Awards Northern Ireland Overall winner. Pictured Clare Galway, NHSCT Paediatric Dietician; Jonathan McFadden, Sports Development Manager; Sandra Anderson, NHSCT Health and Wellbeing Manager; and Hugh Nelson, NHSCT Head of Community Wellbeing.
Primary school children in the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough who participated in the Causeway Healthy Kids programme. Pictured is Jack McGinnis, Healthy Kids Facilitator.
The Causeway Healthy Kids initiative, developed by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Sports and Wellbeing team, uses an innovative approach to promoting healthy lifestyles for children of primary school age.
The Causeway Healthy Kids initiative, developed by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Sports and Wellbeing team, uses an innovative approach to promoting healthy lifestyles for children of primary school age.
The Causeway Healthy Kids initiative, developed by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council’s Sports and Wellbeing team, uses an innovative approach to promoting healthy lifestyles for children of primary school age.
